ComEd: Help available for customers facing cut-off

CHICAGO — Commonwealth Edison says it has established a $10 million fund to help customers struggling to pay their utility bills and facing service disconnection.

The utility says customers who have received a service suspension notice can contact ComEd to find out if they're eligible for assistance. They also might be able to set up a payment plan if they can't afford to pay the entire bill at once.

ComEd has several assistance programs, including for active military personnel and disabled veterans, and for residents and nonprofit organizations experiencing hardship.

The company says service disconnection is always the last resort. It says that last year, it helped more than 32,000 customers who might have otherwise faced disconnection because of financial hardship.